Double-edged Sword: Challenges and Opportunities for the Fairness of Female Athletes in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

Main Article Content

Yunhua He

Keywords

artificial intelligence, gender equality, algorithmic bias, data ethics, women’s sports

Abstract

The penetration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the sports field is reshaping athletes’ training, evaluation, media presentation, and commercial value with unprecedented depth and breadth. However, this technological innovation is not value-neutral and may have divergent effects on athletes of different genders. This article explores the dual impact of AI on fairness for female athletes. By analyzing existing literature, this study identifies algorithmic discrimination from historical data bias, AI-driven media stereotypes, and ethical risks from biometric monitoring as primary challenges. Conversely, AI also presents significant opportunities to counteract bias through objective performance analysis, personalized training tailored to female physiology, and enhanced fan engagement. We conclude that to ensure AI promotes gender equality in sports, proactive interventions in algorithm design, data governance, and ethical standards are imperative.

Abstract 0 | PDF Downloads 0

References

  • Ahmed, M., (2023). Sport is rushing into the AI revolution-but is it ready? [Online]. The Guardian. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/20/sport-is-rushing-into-the-ai-revolution-but-is-it-ready [Accessed November 3, 2025].
  • Daktronics, (2022). WSC Sports, Big Ten Network partner to bring AI-powered video highlights to more women’s sports [Online]. Sports Video Group. Available: https://www.sportsvideo.org/2022/11/02/wsc-sports-big-ten-network-partner-to-bring-ai-powered-video-highlights-to-more-women-sports/.
  • Falkingham, K., (2023). Women’s World Cup 2023: How England is using period-tracking tech [Online]. BBC News. Available: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-66228811 [Accessed November 3, 2025].
  • Felton, G., (2024). Could AI be the key to closing the gender health gap? [Online]. Women’s Health. Available: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/health/conditions/a46875953/ai-gender-health-gap/ [Accessed November 3, 2025].
  • Holden, J. T. and Edelman, M., (2021). The looming legal issues with biometric data in sports. Journal of Legal Aspects of Sport, vol. 31, no. S1.
  • Klebnikov, S., (2024). How AI could widen the gap in women’s sports. Forbes [Online]. Available: https://www.forbes.com/sites/sergeiklebnikov/2024/02/26/how-ai-could-widen-the-gap-in-women-sports/ [Accessed November 3, 2025].
  • Novy-Williams, E., (2023). Athlete data is the ‘Wild West’ and a legal storm is brewing [Online]. Sportico. Available: https://www.sportico.com/law/analysis/2023/athlete-data-legal-battle-1234727102/ [Accessed November 5, 2025].
  • Pratt, A., (2024). BU study finds stark language differences in media coverage of male and female athletes. [Online]. The Brink. Available: https://www.bu.edu/articles/2024/media-coverage-male-female-athletes-language/ [Accessed November 3, 2025].
  • Taylor, M., (2023). The data gap holding back women’s sport [Online]. SportsPro. Available: https://www.sportspromedia.com/features/women-sport-data-gap-commercial-betting-media-sponsorship/ [Accessed November 3, 2025].
  • The Bioethics Project, (2022). Biometric Technologies in Sports: Ethical Considerations [Online].
  • Topple, C. and Dite, K., (2024). AI can be a game changer for sport-but it could also perpetuate bias and inequality [Online]. The Conversation. Available: https://theconversation.com/ai-can-be-a-game-changer-for-sport-but-it-could-also-perpetuate-bias-and-inequality-225624 [Accessed November 3, 2025].
  • UNESCO, (2024). The ethics of artificial intelligence in sport: A call for action [Online]. Available: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ [Accessed November 3, 2025].
  • University of Toronto, (2023). Bias in the machine: U of T researchers on the risks and rewards of AI in sports [Online]. University of Toronto News. Available: https://www.utoronto.ca/news [Accessed Novermber 3, 2025].
  • Vickery, S. and Aylwin, M., (2023). TMT Predictions 2023: AI on the edge in sport [Online]. Deloitte. Available: https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/insights/industry/technology/technology-media-and-telecom-predictions/2023/ai-in-sports-industry.html [Accessed November 3, 2025].
  • Yang, S., (2023). The data gap in women’s sports is real. Here’s why it matters [Online]. The Athletic. Available: https://theathletic.com/4774352/2023/08/15/women-sports-data-gap-research/ [Accessed November 3, 2025].

Similar Articles

21-26 of 26

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.